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BBUffWS *• ■ *■ ■ ATHENS,....SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1848. Puns and Punsters. It has become a fashion of the (lay to (leery the punster —perhaps because he aims to make others laugh, and there are many in this world of ours who affect to consider mirth as unbecoming—though this may possibly arise from the fact that it never comes to them. There are doubtless some who really regard this art as a nuisance, while we are inclined to think that it should take rank with the other faculties— those of seeing, tasting, &c., for punning has much more sense in it than is generally conceded; nor can we understand why any should turn up their nose at it. Os the professed pun-haters, however, we consider very few sincere in ranking it as a sin ; and'are rath er disposed to class them into two divisions —the first too dull sighted to see the point of a good pun—and the second, while distinctly seeing it, unwilling to ac knowledge it because they cannot be equally sharp ! If we had leisure to go deeply into the history and philosophy of punning, we could prove that it is not quite so superficial an accomplishment as some sup pose. Its antiquity is so remote and unquestioned that this alone would refute the charge of its being a new-sense. The practice of punning has been in all ages of the world so general among the learned that it ought to be elected commander-in-chief of literary forces, thongli the major part of its performances of late days are not worthy of high rank. The prince of modern punsters, so lately passed from the gay to the Grave, exhibited from his earli tst child/motZ a peculiar tendency to this species of wit, and yet he was so amiable and gentle in his dis position that his irony was not considered hard, and he could punish folly and vice with impunity. Alas, poor Hood ! thy shining qualities of heart and soul dazzled our eyes and to thy foibles they were hood winked ! We have no fellowship for the fellow who hates a pun. As Shakspere said of the man who had no mu sic in his soul (not sole) — “ The motions of his spirit are dull as night, And his affections dark as Erebus; Let no such man be trusted!” Give us your hearty, cheerful appreciator of a del icate touch of the luminous pencil of wit; one who can take a joke without its being in so coarse and nauseous a dose as to produce a choking sensation. — We love to hear a pun uttered, and to watch the effect upon the auditors —how it reaches one with electric speed, making the muscles of his face to vi brate, and telegraphing the wit to his soul; how it shoots with a cannon ball rapidity and force to an other and when it strikes, tells quickly in the loud explosion oTf laughter—how a third receives it by the Hail Road—when it has been endorsed as genuine by quicker wits than his, and so he can laugh without fear—and how a fourth takes it only as an unwilling debtor receives the visit of his tailor when he is in a place from which there is no egress but into his pres ence—unwillingly and with the conviction that it is a terrible bore! Wc meant to write a paragraph, and we have pun ished our readers with a long article, which may not be as pointed as a White-chapel needle it is true, but which nevertheless will do pretty well to go in ! Franklin College. Ihe annual Commencement of our State Univer- R, ty will take place the first week in August, and we doubt not will attract a multitude of visitors. The graduating class numbers twenty-six : and we feel assured that they will do themselves and their Alma Mater credit on the occasion of their valedictory.— bhe following gentlemen have been appointed a Hoard of Visitors, to attend the Examination of the classes on the 27th instant:— Hev Kichard Johnson, of Talbotton. i,; Edward Coppee, of Athens. p°{* Uenry G. Lamar, of Athens, r i U avid G- Campbell, of Milledgeville. p Ol - Miller Grieve, of Milledgedille. p C;> E- P- Rogers, of Augusta. ; ( * v • Isaac W. Waddell, of Marietta. n° ‘ L a “J uel Eraeman, of Camesville. Ur. A. Means, of Oxford. M H. Baxter, of Sparta. D r \ 3 n V VSq '’ ° f grange. {v- L : Mercer, of Palmyra. Lon. Marshall J. Wellborn, of Columbus. John Ray, Esq., of Newnan. tev - C * Gibson, of Thomaston. IF SIS IB El 1L UTF &IB & IB ® ABISIF 13 ♦ €>ur (Sosstjj Column. The heats of the summer are driving the denizens of our “low country” into the mountain regions, and our town being on the direct route to the Habersham lions—superadded to its own attractions, which are second to none—by the way—in the South, is natur ally the transient home of many strangers whose ap pearance enlivens our streets and animates our spa cious hotels. The rail road places us within 20 hours’ travel of Charleston, and we ought to be within 24 hours’ of Savannah if due enterprise were bestowed upon the connection of Augusta with the Central Rail Road by stage. From both these cities we have already representatives among us, and doubt less many more will visit us “ere the Summer fail.” The intimation afforded us by our esteemed friend and contributor M. E. L. of a possible visit is very welcome, and we hope it may be realized. The Madison Springs under the excellent management of Morrison, are now again open ; and visitors are gathering rapidly at their well known and quiet lo cale. The accommodations at the Southern Sarato ga are now ample and unsurpassed We re publish in this number Judge Charlton’s amusing story of his adventures in New York in pursuit of Life Insurance —and while we can vouch for the ver ity of the incidents there narrated,we can testify also to the existence at the present day of a more liberal state of feeling in Gotham towards our State and its citizens. From an advertisement in our present number, it will be seen that the N. Y. Mutual Life Insurance Company has just reduced the premium on “ Georgia risks” one fourth of one percent. We think it quite doubtful if Mr. Nicol would now add those clauses to a policy issued to a Georgia Judge! . •. . .We have heard many amusing anecdotes of strangers being mistaken for deacons or preachers, and being called on to say grace at the breakfast or dinner table, with the laughable consequences at tending such mistakes, but the following incident is certainly the best thing of the kind we have ever met with, and we hardly think it is familiar to our readers. The way Oliver got out of the dilemma is worthy of all admiration. But to the fact: Oliver Ditson, a music seller in Boston—a grave, serious man with more fun in his heart than in his face, was once travelling in New Hampshire, when being mis taken for a minister, he was asked to “ say grace.” It seemed an easy thing, and up rose Ditson. But the subject seemed to open before him, and he went on as if there was no end to the reasons for thankful ness. Plates rattled, knives were dropped, and hun gry men fidgetted, but on went Ditson. He had forgotten the end, aud was desperately striving to recall it. At last matters were growing serious.— He came to a full stop, looked round the table, and concluded with “ Respectfully yours, Oliver Ditson.” . . . . We have received our allowance of Punch, — dated May 27, —too late to divide it with our read ers this week. Here is a single sip, however, which they may imbibe. Speaking of the Irish trials, the witty gentleman has the following :“ A Watch that needs Repair. —The jury has been called the ‘watch of English liberty.’ This watch seems to be regu lated in Ireland, by an ‘ escapement movement,’ if we may judge from the winding-up of the late Dub lin trials.” Notices to Correspondents. L. S. D. We appreciate your kindness, but we would prefer to publish something from your pen — written for the Gazette. “ Southern Bard.” We hope not, really, for the credit of the South—for if the subjoined stanzas are fair specimens of your poetical abilities, we certainly think the South will disclaim you, bu; you shall have a hearing. TO HER I LOVE BEST. “ Witness, ye fairy-crested stars of night, That roll majestic in your heavenly flight; Witness the tender feelings in my breast For her, who of all others I love best! “Witness, ye birds which in the trees do sing, How most I praise her smile of everything : Her voice is sweeter than your warblings be-r Ask me who 1 love best—it is she.” E. T. L. We have not had time to read your articles, and must therefore defer our decision. We receive more manuscript than we can easily read. J. A. T. We shall publish your last favor, (the tale,) in an early number. “ Juvenis.” We fear we should add nothing to the reputation of our paper, and as little to yours, by printing the lines entitled “To my first Love.”— Juvenis ought not to have a second love so early in his career, as we are led to suppose he has from his stanzas. T. T. Your proposed article will be welcome. “Viola.” We will do so if we possibly can; but we doubt. Leila Cameron. Thanks for your favors, one of which we hope to print next week. J. D. L. We trust to have more contributions from your pen. To all others : We have to defer answers till our next. Ojc American CUTeettfi? JJrcss. The Spirit of the Times. New York: John Richards. This admirable Journal cont inues it s career of pop ularity under the editorial care of Wm. T. Porter, Esq. It is devoted, as our readers must know, es pecially to the Turf and Field Sports, but its ample pages afford every week, as rich a collection of tales, humorous sketches, anecdotes, and bon mots, as can be found in any American journal. The Editor’s fine perception of wit and humor —added to his skill with the pen, render him well qualified for the post he occupies. He certainly makes a spirited paper, and one which is not “ bad to take!” The Yankee Blade. Some blades are green, particularly at this season of the year, but not to this class does our Yankee llladc belong. He is a blade of the brilliant genus —a bright, flashing, keen-edged blade, that makes it self both seen and felt in the great field of literature. As the true Damascus steel flashes in the sunlight of the battle plain, as it is moved by the arm of the he ro, so our Yankee Blade flashes out upon the public gaze with gleams of wit and fancy, at the will of its manager, winning laurels for his brow, and we hope, gold for his pocket. So, at least, it ought to be. Subscriptions, at $2 per annum, received at the Uni versity Book Store. &f)e <Dltr The News by the Acadia. England and Ireland. —The principal item of intelligence by the lat t arrival, is the conviction of John Mitciiel, one of the leaders of the Physical Force Repeal, of felony. This verdict has somewhat dampened the enthusiasm of the people, excited by the acquittal of Meagher and O’Brien. The pros pect is regarded by all as still gloomy in the extreme, and the English Papers are filled with expressions of apprehension as to the issue of affairs. France. —The Great Festival at the Champ de Mars came off on the 21st ult., and is described as having been a very imposing spectacle. One writer describes it as a Lord Mayor’s show in London, on a vastly magnified scale. The procession was of im mense length, and embraced the various trades and agricultural interests of Franee. The ceremony last ed nearly all day, and consisted chiefly in the defiling of the troops and deputations before r the National Assembly and Provisional Government. At Lyons, there was a tumult on the 17th ult., and subsequent ly a large body of insargents deposed the authorities of the city. On the 22d the condition of affairs there was truly deplorable and alarming. There had been a bloody riot also, at Toulon. Thiers is said to have in Press a work on the po sition and prospects of France, in which he avows his preference for a Constitutional Monarchy, and his conviction that it is what France requires. Schleswig Holstein Affairs remain in statu quo. Naples has been the theatre of an insurrection, in which many of the inhabitants were slaughtered. £fje Ncto 3®?orl&. The Whig Nominations. Little else has occupied either the public mind or the press for the last few days, than the nominations of candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency by the Whig National Convention, held in Philadel phia last week. We have simply to chronicle the fact already gone on the wings of the wind, to the remotest sections of the Union, that General Taylor received the nomination for the Presidency, and Mil lard Fillmore of N. Y., that for the Vice Presi dency. The Treaty of Peace. The important treaty which restores peace to our borders, and which had prevailed, as we stated last week, by a decided majority in the Chamber of Dep uties, has been ratified in the Mexican Senate by an almost unanimous vote ; a result deeply gratifying to every true and honest patriot. We again congrat ulate our readers upon the advent of Peace ! Literary Intelligence. The Works of Washington Irving. We are happy to inform our readers that a complete and uni form Edition of these admired Works is about to be published by Mr. Geo. P. Putnam, of New York, whose name is a sufficient assurance for the elegance and perfection of the work. It will be issued in twelve duodecimo volumes, commencing with the Sketch Book, and embracing beside all his published works, three or four new ones, including a Life of Mahommed, a Life of Washington, and a collection of Miscellanies. We congratulate the American reader on this an nouncement, and we have no doubt that Mr. Putnam will find his enterprize nobly rewarded, for never was anew Edition of any works more needed than this. Thd Harpers announce anew Novel by Bul wer—The Last of the Saxons. ouc Uoofc Gallic. HP* Publishers and authors who may wish to have their hooks noticed in the “Gazette,” will please send copies for the Editor, to Messrs. Burgess, Stringer & Cos., New York, who will send a parcel to him weekly by express. Observations on the Aboriginal Monuments ok the Mississippi Valley, with illustrations, by E. G. Squier. Pamphlet Bvo. pp. 79. New York: Bartlett & Wellford. We tire indebted to the author for a copy of this interesting work, which ispublished as a sort of avant courier, to a large and elaborate volume, in quarto, on the same great subject, and which will be issued under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, and constitute the first volume of its “ Contributions to Knowledge.” This fact is warrant sufficient for the value of the work, for without extraordinary merit it could not have been accepted by the Committee ot Examination appointed by the Smithsonian Society. The pamphlet under notice is intended to give some idea of the scope and character of the complete work, not embracing, however, any of its grand discoveries, or most important details. We have received also, through the courtesy of ourfriend, the author, a spec imen sheet of the prospective volume, which will be superbly printed on fine paper, and illustrated with very numerous beautiful engravings on steel and wood, much in the stylo of the quarto copy of the Exploring Expedition. The subject of the work is in itself so deeply inter esting, and the field so vast and new, as to invest the enterprise with a deep interest. The labors of Mr. Squier, and his associate, Mr. E. H. Davis, have resulted in the noblest contribution yet made to Amer ican Archeology ; and we congratulate our country men that there have been found private gentlemen ot adequate zeal and generosity, to the accomplishment of such a labor as they have achieved. The work will be published for subscribers exclu sively, and is now passing through the Press. We shall be very happy to secure copies for any of the public libraries of the South, or for any gentleman who would desire to place it in his own library. 1. First Lessons in \rithmettc ; 2. School A rithmetic; 3. The University Arithmetic; 4. Elementary Algebra ; 5. Elementary Ge ometry ; 6. Elements of Surveying, by Chas. Davies, L. L. D. New York : A. S. Barnes & Cos. We have enumerated above, the titles of the most complete sories of Elementary Works in Mathemat ics issued from the Amorican Press; and we have no hesitation in pronouncing it as excellent as it is com plete. A familiar acquaintance with these books, enables us to bear unequivocal testimony to their great merit, and our verdict is sustained by the judgement of thousands of the ablest teachers in the land. The author was long connected with the West Point Military School, and his system is still pursued there. It is in use in many of the first colleges of our country, and indeed constitutes,with his advanced series of works, our National System of Mathemat ics, and it is certainly unnecessary for us to enlarge upon the merits of the separate books. We com mend them to the attention and immediate adoption of every Teacher who desires to afford his pupils the best possible aids to rapid advancement in the noble science of Mathematics. They are all handsomely printed, and furnished at a cheap rate. S’!je American The Southern Literary Messenger for June. Richmond. Va. We should have noticed this Magazine at an ear lier period, but that we received the May number rather late in the month, and thought it best to wait for the June issue. That is now before us, and we give it a liearty welcome. It was our pleasure to receive it regularly while Mr. White, its founder, was at the helm of affairs —and frequently then did we notice it with high approbation in our Magazine. From that time until now, we have watched the on ward career of the Messenger with pleasure and in terest ; and wc are free to say, that at no period of its history has it been more worthy of the public sup port than now. It is a liberal and polished organ of Belles-lettres, maintaining a high and just regard for the principles of the South, while it labors for her intellectual advancement. Asa public journalist, we feel bound to commend this Magazine to every friend and well-wisher of Southern Literature. It ought unquestionably to be sustained, and wo ear nestly hope it may be. Os the number before us, we will simply remark, that it presents a rich variety, from grave to gay ; and contains articles that weuid do credit to the pa ges of Blackwood. We notice a poem from our val ued friend and whilom contributor, Mrs. Maria G. Buchanan. The “ Two Country Houses,” is a pleasant serial from the pen of Mr. Cooke of \ a. Other papers deserve special notice, but our limited space forbids it. The Editor’s Table contains nu merous spirited bibliographia. We will forward subscriptions to the Messenger with much pleasure. Magazine for May, was prompt ly re-issued, but our number failed to reach us, much to our regret. 47